By Ayorinde Esther
Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to complement the state’s climate policies with an immediate tree-planting programme across the metropolis.
They told Starnews NG through numerous messages to our inbox that the initiative would help reduce the intense heat being experienced in the city, particularly in busy commercial areas and densely populated neighbourhoods.
The call followed the state government’s recent unveiling of a climate change policy and circular economy roadmap, as well as its receipt of a ₦50 million grant from the Global Environment Facility for large-scale tree planting.
Residents who contacted Starnews NG expressed concern that Akure’s urban centre remains largely without trees or public shade.
A visit to areas such as Oba Adesida Road, Arakale and nearby residential neighbourhoods showed streets lined mainly with asphalt, concrete buildings, construction dust and metal roofs.
Residents said the lack of shade was making daily life increasingly difficult, especially for elderly people, traders and low-income earners who cannot afford the cost of powering air conditioners.
Mr Odulana, popularly known as Baba Ojo, a retiree living near Ojo Oba Market, said the government needed to take practical action. “The government keeps warning us about rising temperatures, but what is it doing about the heat on our streets?” he asked. “Many of us cannot afford the electricity bills required to run air conditioners. We need natural shade and fresh air. The neem and mango trees that once lined many of these roads have been removed.”
Market women and street traders also said the heat was affecting their businesses. A trader at Oja Oba Market said, “By 2pm, the asphalt becomes extremely hot. We are struggling to work in these conditions. The city needs more trees and shade, not only policy announcements.”
Residents further argued that public awareness campaigns on climate change should be matched with visible action, including the planting of trees in Akure and other parts of the state.
Starnews gathered that the Aiyedatiwa administration has made efforts in rural agroforestry. It recently began distributing 37,500 indigenous tree seedlings at Aponmu for forest reserves and sustainable cocoa farming. However, residents noted that the initiative had not yet addressed the shortage of trees in Akure’s urban centre.
Environmental experts said the small-scale tree-planting activities carried out by non-governmental organisations and volunteer groups were useful but insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
An urban planning expert, Balogun Omowole, said the state needed a properly funded urban forestry programme. He urged the government to plant and maintain shade trees along major roads, public spaces and residential streets.
Residents are therefore calling on Governor Aiyedatiwa to direct the Ministry of Environment to use part of the available climate funding for a metropolitan tree-planting initiative that would make Akure cooler and more liveable.
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